The Emperor Class

The adventurers traveled for two days and nights before they could see Mount Ujun from afar. Jeane explained that, while the peaks of the mountain went into the clouds, the fortress was much closer to the base of the mountain. As soon as they could see the mountain, Jeane suggested a break. Everyone ate an early lunch by a river and filled up their waterskin. Their meals for the journey consisted of what they took from the knight corpses. Following the Duchess’ departure, the remaining knights and adventurers split the food among them. Due to how small the party became, the food taken from the corpses was more than sufficient for an entire week.

Once everyone was refreshed and ready, Jeane triggered her teleport crystal. Dreu watched as a bright light engulfed everyone. Unlike the Illuminate spell he had experienced a few times, the light from the crystal wasn’t blinding. It just swallowed everything and he found himself in a place filled with nothing at all. During the teleportation, Dreu rehearsed the instructions Jeane provided them regarding the etiquette within the fortress. Given that this was his first time at Ujun, he needed to show his proper respects to give the best first impression.

“Hold off the demons!”

“More are teleporting in!”

When the teleportation was complete, Dreu instinctively raised his shield in time to block some arrows. Moments later, he felt a surge of strength within him. He looked back to see a nod from Jeane. Then, he drew his blade and advanced towards the nearest demon. The demon, too preoccupied with the humans on the walls, was hacked in half by Dreu.

Watch out for the boulder!

Dreu looked up in time to get out of the way. He thanked Rohese for the warning and resumed combat with the only demon to have survived the boulder. After slaying the demon, Dreu could see no more enemies in his immediate vicinity. He turned around to check on his party. Sadon stood guard while Gaenor and Rohese picked off demons on the stairs. He searched around until he caught sight of Jeane busy healing a human soldier. Bayard towered over her as he fended off three demon soldiers with ease.

“The demons are headed into the inner sanctum!” shouted someone atop the walls.

“Stop them!” said another.

Dreu looked between Bayard and the main gate.

I can handle things from here. Bayard cleaved a demon soldier in half. You should head inside to aid those defending the inner sanctum!

Dreu nodded and ran inside where he was immediately greeted by numerous human and demon corpses. Ignoring the carnage, he made his way deeper into the fortress until he arrived at a large chamber. A demon stood near the center of the chamber surrounded by a dozen human spellcasters.

“Amusing,” said the demon as a dark aura emanated from it.

Dreu watched as a dark pool appeared beneath the demon. Then, tendrils shot out from the pool towards the dozen casters. Despite the humans putting up barriers, the tendrils easily penetrated through the casters’ defenses. Moments after the tendrils made contact and disappeared into the humans, the casters turned their attention to Dreu. The young man raised his shield as he readied himself for the incoming spells.

“There’s the demoness! Stop her!”

Dreu heard footsteps behind him but he dared not look away from the possessed casters. As he gauged the distance between him and the spellcasters, the young man noticed a tendril heading straight for him. By the time his brain registered it, the tendril had already reached him. Darkness immediately engulfed him, paralyzing his entire body. He couldn’t summon any strength to fight the darkness but he kept at it until he heard a voice.

“Hello, descendant of Emperor Gavienus Tobias! I’m Eglallin. It’s a pleasure to meet you! This was not the location I expected to meet you though. I honestly would prefer a more peaceful location so we can chat properly. I believe Zhao said your name was Dreu.”

Zhao? Why would he share my name with the demons?

“I know what you are thinking. No, Zhao is loyal to you. He merely informed us of your identity so we can avoid causing you any harm. Have you wondered why there were no demons pursuing your group the last two days?”

Dreu took a moment to ponder the matter before he found the courage to speak.

“You make it sound like you ordered the demons to ignore us.”

“That is true! Our target is Xante and the Purificator. You were never our target and just happened to have been caught up in the mess. Both Bayard and Zhao explained that much.”

“What are you going to do to me?”

“I will hold you hostage until one of the Holy Knights free you. Then, they won’t be suspicious of you. In the meantime, we need to talk.”

“About?”

“Xyheia spoke to me two nights ago after she met with you. She wanted me to tell you to stay alive. Her plans have changed upon discovering your existence. Stay alive however you can and you will see her. When that day comes, you’ll know what your purpose in life is.”

“Purpose?”

“Your great powers come with duties you must uphold. It is not my place to tell you what you must do in life….and it appears our talk is over.”

The darkness suddenly dissipated. Dreu found himself on his knees and drowning in a warm light. He looked back to see a person wearing snow white armor that emitted a light glow. The person was easily the size of Bayard so he towered over Dreu. The man's sword was emitting a rapidly diminishing light that was shining on the young man. Comparing what he saw and what heard about, Dreu suspected the man to be a a Holy Knight.

"Ah yes, a pitiful Holy Knight is here to stop the demoness!" Eglallin let out a quick laugh. "Are you ready to die for your god?"

“Demoness, this is where you will die today!” The holy knight smiled with confidence as he raised his sword into the air. "Don't think that, by destroying this crystal, you have achieved victory!"